Proposed changes to PFM - Chris Wells lead a
discussion of the proposed changes to the County’s Public
Facilities Manual involving sidewalks. Basically sidewalks would
be required on both sides of all developments except for those in
an RE district (lots two acres or larger). Those developments
would be required to have sidewalks on one side. There was a
lengthy discussion of whether there should be sidewalks in these
developments. Some felt that why put in walks that cannot connect
to any thing. Wade Smith said lets get the trails when we can. It
was noted that the Great Falls Trail Blazers would oppose any
concrete and would prefer stone dust. The Trail Blazers also
suggested that they would maintain the stone dust trail as VDOT
would not maintain this type of trail. Chris said there was
concern whether the maintenance of the trails could be given over
to The Trail Blazers. Paul Johnson noted the problems of putting
trails in RE districts, which have drain fields and avoiding the
drain fields was a problem. It was suggested that rather than
following the road right-of way the trail could meander thru a
development. Bruce Wright asked Wade Smith to draft something to
say that the committee would support having trails in the RE
districts.

Trail Waiver procedures - Sheng Leu handed out
a draft of procedures for handling trail waivers. The committee
discussed how waivers were handled. Wade Smith noted that in
certain situations it was better to ask the developer to proffer
funds that the Supervisor could use for other trail projects.
Paul Johnson said most builders would support this position.
Another comment was that there should always be a justification
with each waiver. Roger Diedrich would like to know when the
representative’s position on a waiver was overruled. It seemed
this varied by supervisory district. It was suggested if a
representative had a problem they could bring it to the
committee.

Staff Reports

Sheng Leu noted that the committee should have received the
proposals for the south county.

Chris Wells noted that they are still wrestling with the issue
of how the handle the rental of the bike lockers, which remain,
un-rented. He is attempting a pilot program where they would take
a non-refundable charge for the key to the lockers. They are also
looking into whether this function could be contracted out. Wade
Smith suggested that all bike racks and lockers should be
protected from the elements by a roof.

Chris Wells discussed the proposed bike lanes along Stringfellow
road. The proposed improvements would run between the Springfield
and Sully districts. At a public meeting on the proposed changes
VTOD had a questionnaire for the public, which was very slanted
against the inclusion of bike lanes. In general the committee’s
position was the there should be bike lanes of some sort along
Stringfellow road.

Chair Report

Bruce Wright mentioned the proposed widening of the Fairfax
County Parkway between the Dulles Toll road and Route 50. His
concern was the effect of the widening on the bike trail along
the parkway and improvement of the many dangerous crossings for
the trail.

Also, a reminder to the committee that the 2007 Transportation
Bond was coming up and now it the time to get your priority
projects to your supervisors. The projects that got in the last
bond are getting done.

He noted the creation of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
committee and that T&S representatives should attend the
meetings when possible. Information on the committee may be found
at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning/tod.htm.